 The vessel began sinking while the boarding and inspection was underway, with the personnel of "Townsville" rescuing 45 men, 17 women, and 17 children, and transporting them to Darwin.The following month, the patrol boat was in Nuku'Alofa for celebrations of the King of Tonga's birthday.In January 1992, "Townsville" was used as the platform from which a team of clearance divers disposed of undetonated bombs found on Middleton Reef.